# St. Louis de Montfort's influence on the Church
*2018-04-10*

> Bill Young discusses Day 2 of the '33 Days to Morning Glory' retreat, focusing on the life of St. Louis de Montfort and the enduring impact of his Marian theology on the papacy.

## A Lesson in Detachment

In the town of Pontchartrain, St. Louis de Montfort inspired local peasants to build a massive monument to the Passion of Christ on a neighboring hill. For fifteen months, hundreds of volunteers gave their skills and labor to create this structure. However, just before the bishop could dedicate it, enemies of Louis convinced the government that the monument was actually a fortress intended for rebellion. The government ordered its destruction.

When Louis received this disappointing news, he told the thousands of people gathered for the ceremony, 'We had all hoped to build a calvary here. Let us build it in our hearts. Blessed be God.' This moment illustrates a vital truth about doing the Lord's work: it does not always turn out according to our plans. Because of his detachment from his own will and his total attachment to God, Louis became an instrument for God to accomplish even mightier works.

## A Lasting Spiritual Legacy

Although the physical monument was destroyed, St. Louis's teachings became a huge influence on the Church, impacting many popes and shaping Catholic theology. The passionate labor of the monks and peasants paid off in the end, even if they did not see the fruit in their own lifetime. As we prepare for consecration to Jesus through Mary, we can find strength in knowing that various popes have supported and validated these teachings.

## Papal Endorsements of True Devotion

The history of the papacy shows a strong affinity for the teachings of St. Louis de Montfort. Pope Pius IX described his devotion to Mary as the most acceptable form. Pope Leo XIII not only beatified de Montfort in 1888 but granted a plenary indulgence to those who consecrate themselves using the Montfortian formula; he was so influenced that he wrote sixteen encyclicals on the Rosary.

Pope St. Pius X also recommended these teachings, having experienced their power personally. His own writings on Marian devotion reflect the same tone and spirit as de Montfort's classical work, echoing the sentiment that there is no surer or easier way than Mary to unite men with Christ. Similarly, Pope Pius XI noted that he had practiced this devotion since his youth, and Pope Pius XII, who canonized St. Louis in 1947, described his teachings as 'solid and right.'

## The Influence on St. John Paul II

Perhaps no pope promoted de Montfort's teachings more than St. John Paul II. Two facts stand out: first, his papal motto, 'Totus Tuus' (Totally Yours), was taken directly from de Montfort's shorter prayer of consecration. Second, St. John Paul II described reading 'True Devotion to Mary' as a significant turning point in his life.

*Our consecration to Jesus through Mary will bear great fruit in our lives, even if we do not fully understand how it will happen.*